Kimberly-Clark tops Q2 estimates

Kimberly-Clark reports its Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.18, is ahead of consensus estimates of $1.15 per share. Revenues for the quarter rose 8% year-over-year to $5.3 billion, topping consensus estimates of $5.1 billion.

Thomas J. Falk, chairman and chief executive officer, says, "Our organic sales grew in the second quarter in line with our full-year plan, as we continue to benefit from innovation and targeted growth initiatives. We are gaining market share in a number of businesses and are launching additional product innovations to further improve our brands. We also continue to deliver significant ongoing cost savings and generate strong cash flow. Although adjusted earnings per share were down slightly in the second quarter versus last year, we delivered sequential improvement in most key metrics compared to the first quarter, which gives us added confidence in our performance in the back half of the year."

For 2011, the company sees EPS of $4.80 to $5.05, vs. consensus estimates of $4.85 per share. Kimberly-Clark has a potential upside of 1.4% based on a current price of $67.9 and an average consensus analyst price target of $68.82.